Spring rains bring major Fort Wayne flooding

Several roads are closed after up to 3 inches of rain falls in 24 hours.

Heavy rainfall in the region Thursday and early Friday morning led to what the city termed as flash flooding and prompted some streets to be closed.

The heaviest rain fell in southwestern Fort Wayne and Allen County, with 2.5-3 inches of rain since Thursday morning, with rainfall in other areas of the county ranging from 1 to 2.5 inches, according to National Weather Service radar estimates. Streets closed Friday morning included:

•Dalevue Drive at Fernwood Avenue

•Prairie Grove Drive at Orchard Lane

•Taylor Street at Henrietta Street and Freeman Street

•Orchard Street at Fairbrook Court and Broadripple

•Old Auburn Road at Wallen Road

•State Boulevard between Clinton and Wells streets

•Catalpa Street between Jefferson Boulevard and Taylor Street

•North River Road between Landin and Maysville roads was closed later Friday morning.

Members of the city's Street Department, City Utilities, Public Works and other flood control personnel worked throughout the night by operating pumps and levees, placing barriers and assessing the rising waters.

According to Frank Suarez, a spokesman for City Utilities, the Maumee River at Anthony Boulevard was measured at 20.45 feet as of Friday morning, more than 3 feet above the flood stage of 17 feet. The river had risen more than 10 feet in 20 hours. The weather service forecasts a crest of 22.5 feet for the Maumee at 2 a.m. Saturday. That level would be considered “moderate” flooding.

No evacuations were reported, though Suarez said that high waters close to a home prompted electricity to be cut as a precaution.

“The amount of rain that came over the period of time it did, it was a lot, so what we have isn't too surprising,” Suarez said.

Suarez said that he expected to hear an update about cresting around noon Friday but that waters around the Spy Run Bridge were falling as of 9 a.m.

The weather service forecasts a 30 percent chance of showers Friday and Friday night. However, forecasters are not anticipating significant rainfall amounts Friday.